Christmas Island, located in the Pacific island group known as Kiribati, is way the heck out there, well beyond Hawaii, which is the usual connection point for U.S. visitors. Weekly flights between Honolulu and Kiribati are operated by Aloha Airlines on behalf of Air Kiribati, (888) 800-8144. (If you call Aloha Airlines, the agent will deny Aloha flies to Kiribati; more on that later.)

To get the inside story on Christmas Island, contact Frontiers Travel, (800) 245-1950, which operates fishing and diving trips -- about the only reasons anyone makes the long haul. The company also offers a non-fishing, non-diving program, but it's not a popular package since there's simply not much to distract people who require varied entertainment. The island's two hotels are described as basic.

The Honolulu-Christmas Island flight takes about three hours.

Air service also is available from a few Micronesian points if you happen to be coming from Australia or other directions. Additional travel information can be found on a Kiribati Web page that originates in New Zealand.

You can get a good feel for what it's like on Christmas Island, along with practical information, in an article by Paul Theroux that appeared in the December issue of Outside magazine.

You can also get background from the U.S. State Department's consular information sheet on Kiribati. Not to make you nervous, but among other tidbits, the advisory notes that "as a result of an assessment conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in June 1994, the FAA has found the government of Kiribati's Civil Aviation Authority to not be in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Kiribati air carrier operations. Operations to the United States by Kiribati carriers are not permitted unless they arrange to have their flights conducted by a carrier from a country meeting international aviation safety standards."

Hence the Air Kiribati flights are handled by Aloha Airlines.

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For a weekend trip to Washington, D.C., I would like information on hotels within walking distance of major sites.

The Washington Convention & Visitors Association has a well-organized brochure, arranged by rate category, and many of the hotels listed have weekend rates. The descriptions of the hotels also provide their locations relative to Metro stops and attractions. The bureau also occasionally offers brochures on special rate programs, such as "summer hotel packages."

Among current specials are a "Dreams Deals" rate of $99 per night at the DoubleTree Hotel Park Terrace on Embassy Row, including a deluxe room for two adults and two children, plus full American breakfast; a $98 nightly rate at Georgetown Suites, including a single-use camera; and a $112 double rate at the Windsor Park Hotel.

Contact the Washington Convention & Visitors Association, at (202) 789-7000.

If you're interested in B&Bs, dozens in the Washington area can be located through the B&B Channel.

For a trip from Washington to Rome, I have a choice of flying US Airways or United Airlines. For such a long trip, how can I determine if one offers more leg room in coach class than the other?

First, determine from a reservations agent what kind of aircraft the airlines usually fly on the route at the times you expect to travel. Then consult the July 1997 issue of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, which has a chart showing the roominess of each airline's seating configuration on each type of aircraft. It also assigns a comfort rating.

In the example you cite, the Boeing 767s used by US Airways are rated well above United's Boeing 747s, about equal to United's 767s, and below United's Boeing 777s and some of its DC-10s.

The July 1997 issue is available by sending a check or money order for $5 to CRTL, 101 Truman Ave., Yonkers, NY 10703-1057. Keep in mind that certain seats, particularly those in exit rows, are roomier. Airlines often assign these favored positions to their best frequent-flying customers. But when you check in, it's worth asking if any are available, especially if you arrive well ahead of flight time.
salon.com | June 10, 1999

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